Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews Mike Matthews

In this episode, I discuss whether you should prioritize sleep or training when sleep-deprived, shoulder impingement fixes, strategies to make stubborn muscles grow, and lots more.

As always, these questions come directly from my Instagram followers, who take advantage of my weekly Q&As in my stories.

If you have a question you're dying to have answered, make sure you follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness) and look out for the Q&A posts. Your question might just make it into a podcast episode!

If you like this type of episode, let me know. Send me an email (mike@muscleforlife.com) or direct message me on Instagram. And if you don’t like it, let me know that too or how you think it could be better.

Timestamps:

(3:41) Should I work out on 5-to-6 hours of sleep or prioritize sleep and do fewer workouts per week?

(9:28) Why is Thinner Leaner Stronger recommended for women under 40?

(10:20) I’ve been drinking salt water during my workouts. What are the signs I’m consuming too much salt?

(11:18) How can I grow stubborn muscles?

(17:40) What are your thoughts on training calves unilaterally?

(22:36) Can using an air fryer help control calorie intake?

(24:47) What’s the best way to fix shoulder impingement?

(25:52) Do you do AMRAP sets for most of your main exercises?

(28:15) I just had ACL surgery and will be sidelined for a bit. How do I maintain my muscle?

(29:00) Do you have any book recommendations on time management?

(29:35) Is it bad to do sauna after heavy lifting phases for lean gaining?

(31:31) The bar isn't touching my shins during deadlifts. Is that a problem?

(33:13) What's the best way to boost my immune system to avoid catching colds from my kids?

(35:24) Since we shouldn't eat ultra-processed foods, how healthy are whey protein and other supplements?

(40:55) Any thoughts on natural tea supplements that use ingredients like tongkat ali, boron, and magnesium?

Mentioned on the Show:


Buy Legion Pulse

Buy Legion Phoenix

Bigger Leaner Stronger

Thinner Leaner Stronger

Legion One-on-One Coaching

In this episode, I talk with Shaun, who achieved remarkable results with Legion’s body transformation coaching service.

Shaun had struggled with his weight for over a decade. But at 270 pounds, he faced a health scare that prompted him to make a serious change.

After failing to lose weight on several popular diets, Shaun discovered Bigger Leaner Stronger, and by following its principles, he started losing fat and building muscle.

However, Shaun felt he could achieve even better results, so he signed up for Legion coaching. With his coach's help, he learned the principles of effective and sustainable dieting and training, and in 6 months, he dropped from 233 to 198 pounds, greatly improving his body composition and health.

In this podcast, Shaun shares valuable insights into staying consistent, the importance of accountability, and navigating challenges like injury. His story highlights how following straightforward, evidence-based advice can help you achieve remarkable results.

Tune in to hear Shaun’s story and discover how expert coaching and dedication can transform your body and life.

Timestamps:


(05:12) How did you discover my work, and what have your results been like since then?

(13:19) How did your strength and performance change once you started the coaching program?

(17:53) What key factors contributed to your results after switching from solo training to the coaching program?

(23:32) How did you structure your diet?

(32:24) What do your cheat meals consist of?

(39:46) What is your training routine like, and did you face any challenges?

(44:57) Could you complete the program with just a simple home gym setup?


Mentioned on the Show:

The Legion Diet Quiz

The Year One Challenge For Men

Bigger Leaner Stronger

Legion Body Transformation Coaching

 

Is artificial intelligence a quantum leap forward for humanity? The key to world peace, the cure for disease and aging, and the springboard to the abundant, leisure-filled future depicted in science fiction novels?

Or is it the death knell for humanity as they know it?

Or something in between?

In this episode, I talk with Cal Newport, a renowned computer science professor, author, and productivity expert, to delve into the complex landscape of AI.

Cal has been studying AI and its ramifications for humanity long before it was cool, and he has a number of counterintuitive thoughts on the pros and cons of this new technology, how to get the most out of it right now, and what the future of AI will look like.

In this interview, you’ll learn . . .


How to use existing AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to be more productive and successful in your work and personal life
The pros and cons of existing AI tools
What the future of AI development may look like
How to use AI to stay competitive in the modern workplace
And more . . .

So, if you're curious about how AI is shaping our world and what you should do right now to get and stay ahead of the curve, click play and join the conversation!

Timestamps:



(3:44) The current and future impact of AI on life and work

(10:52) The limitations and inefficiencies of current LLMs

(15:37) The future of LLMs

(18:56) The benefits of a “multi-agent approach”

(28:15) Will AI lead to massive job losses?

(33:16) How AI will become essential in the modern workplace

(36:51) How will AI change the “rhythm” of work?

(44:27) The future of AI in knowledge work

(50:31) The problems with the “Oracle” model of AI

(58:37) How LLMs will advance AI

(1:07:39) How Cal uses LLMs in his work

(1:09:56) What AI innovations are set to benefit writers the most?

(1:12:38) AI’s future role in information gathering

(1:13:52) How Mike uses AI in his work

(01:20:54) Where can people find Cal’s work?

Mentioned on the Show:



Cal Newport’s Website

Cal Newport’s New Yorker Archive

Cal Newport’s New Book: Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout

Cal Newport’s previous podcast appearance

Cal Newport’s Deep Questions Podcast

The Legion Diet Quiz

Buy Legion Whey+

Legion Body Transformation Coaching

Most weightlifters know that training volume is a crucial factor in maximizing muscle growth. But how much volume is optimal? And at what point does doing more sets become counterproductive?

To help answer these questions, I interviewed Dr. Milo Wolf, a published sports scientist, competitive natural bodybuilder, and online coach, known for his deep understanding of the mechanisms that drive hypertrophy.

In this episode, we delve into how much volume is optimal for gaining muscle and discuss when higher volumes offer diminishing returns or even harm your muscle-building efforts.

Dr. Wolf breaks down the latest research on high-volume training and offers practical tips, including specific volume recommendations and strategies to make high-volume training more practical and time-efficient.

Whether you're a beginner looking to build your first 10 pounds of muscle, or an experienced lifter aiming to reach your genetic potential, this episode is packed with evidence-based insights to help you reach your goals.

In it, you’ll learn . . .


The impact of training volume on muscle growth
How rest times and proximity to failure can optimize your results
Volume recommendations and strategies for both beginners and advanced weightlifters
The significance of exercise selection for maximizing hypertrophy and preventing boredom
How techniques like drop sets and supersets can make high-volume training more practical and time-efficient
The role of “specialization phases” in maintaining motivation and breaking training monotony
Tips for gradually increasing volume and using performance as a recovery indicator

So, click play to gain valuable insights and practical advice on how much volume you should do to enhance your muscle-building efforts.


Timestamps:

(0:00) Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe!

(3:50) Find the Perfect Strength Training Program for You: www.muscleforlife.show/trainingquiz

(4:40) Understanding training volume

(14:01) Interpreting the recent “52-set study”

(16:01) Factors influencing research results on optimal training volume

(25:12) Applying volume recommendations to programming

(33:57) Try Pulse today! Go to https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!

(36:09) How exercise selection impacts how much volume you can do

(40:36) How exercise selection impacts injury prevention

(44:57) Breaking training monotony with specialization phases

(48:08) How to gradually increase volume

(51:37) Debunking the myth that heavy training is more fatiguing than high volume training

(58:58) Where can people find more of Milo Wolf’s work?

(01:00:11) Legion One-on-One Coaching: https://www.muscleforlife.show/vip

(1:02:59) Subscribe and please share the podcast with a friend! www.muscleforlife.show


Mentioned on the Show:

Milo’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WolfCoaching

Milo’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfcoach_/

Find the Perfect Strength Training Program for You in Just 60 Seconds: http://www.muscleforlife.show/trainingquiz

Legion Pulse: https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!

Legion One-on-One Coaching: https://www.muscleforlife.show/vip

Mike’s conversation with Dr. Pak on Minimum Effective Dose Training: https://legionathletics.com/muscle-for-life-episode-1124-dr-pak-interview/

It’s tempting to view health as a purely physical pursuit, especially in the age of social media and constant visual stimuli.

We often associate being healthy with having a fit physique, but health doesn’t mean having abs or being the strongest person in the gym.

True health encompasses much more than just our physical appearance or exercise habits, and it's essential to keep an open mind and adapt our perspectives as we grow and learn. 

In this episode, Jordan Syatt, former competitive powerlifter, renowned fitness coach, and fitness industry veteran and entrepreneur, shares his journey of redefining what it means to be truly healthy.

In this conversation, we explore . . .


The evolving definition of health and how Jordan's perspective has changed over the years
The significance of incorporating mobility work and flexibility training for long-term health and well-being
The role of community and engaging in difficult conversations for personal growth and mental well-being
Strategies for having productive difficult conversations with yourself and others
Practical tips for managing stress in an increasingly complex and demanding world
And more . . .

So, if you're ready to challenge your perceptions of health and discover new ways to optimize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, click play! 

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Timestamps:




(0:00) Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe!

(3:10) Try Pulse today! Go to https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!

(05:25) What does it mean to be a healthy person, and how has that changed for Jordan Syatt over the years?

(10:19) How is Jordan thinking about health now? What are the new aspects of a healthy life?

(17:11) Why is flexibility important? How do you improve your flexibility?

(20:56) Is stretching a waste of time if you lift weights regularly?

(25:01) What resources should people look into for improving flexibility?

(29:14) How does body composition fit into Jordan's view of health, and how has that changed?

(36:33) The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation: https://mfl.show/motivation

(38:06) What is the importance of community, having difficult conversations, and their impact on overall health?

(39:33) What are "difficult conversations"?

(43:00) Has having difficult conversations caused issues in Jordan's life?

(59:59) How does Jordan go about having difficult conversations with himself productively?

(1:08:04) How does Jordan prevent negative self-talk from spiraling out of control?

(1:24:57) How can you cope with and reduce stress?

(1:32:24) Where can people find Jordan Syatt and his work?

(1:32:46) Find the Perfect Strength Training Program for You: www.muscleforlife.show/trainingquiz

(1:33:33) Subscribe and please share the podcast with a friend! www.mfl.show

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Mentioned on the Show:




Legion Pulse: https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!

The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation: https://mfl.show/motivation

Find the Perfect Strength Training Program for You in Just 60 Seconds: http://www.muscleforlife.show/trainingquiz

The Inner Circle: www.sfinnercircle.com

Jordan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syattfitness/?hl=en

The Jordan Syatt Mini-Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jordan-syatt-mini-podcast/id1348856817

Lucas Hardie Range of Strength’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rangeofstrength/?hl=en

From the potential downsides of TRT for individuals with moderate testosterone levels to strategies for mitigating the effects of chronic sleep deprivation, in this episode, I dive into a wide array of topics based on questions from my loyal Instagram followers. 

I also get into a few “fun” ones, including updates on my new house, my most hated trends of the decade, and my favorite conspiracy theories. :)

As always, these questions come directly from my Instagram followers, who take advantage of my weekly Q&As in my stories. 

If you have a question you're dying to have answered, make sure you follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness) and look out for the Q&A posts. Your question might just make it into a podcast episode!

If you like this type of episode, let me know. Send me an email (mike@muscleforlife.com) or direct message me on Instagram. And if you don’t like it, let me know that too or how you think it could be better.

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Timestamps:


(0:00) - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe!

(1:26) Try Phoenix today! Go to https://buylegion.com/phoenix and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!

(3:37) Potential drawbacks of TRT if you have moderate testosterone levels

(5:43) When will you ship Legion Whey protein products to Canada?

(6:15) Is fish oil overrated?

(9:53) Legitimacy of the hybrid athlete trend

(11:01) Mitigating chronic sleep deprivation effects for gains

(15:21) New house progress update

(26:03) Legion One-on-One Coaching: https://www.muscleforlife.show/vip

(27:45) Most hated trend of the decade

(28:46) Increasing vascularity during a bulk

(30:07) Calculating activity levels: working sets vs. total workout time

(30:54) Favorite conspiracy or conspiracy theory?

(35:28) Plans for improving the Stacked workout app

(36:13) Why did you stop taking Legion Pulse?

(36:34) Does coffee contribute to water intake goals?

(37:14) Opinions on Hamas

(40:32) Subscribe and please share the podcast with a friend! www.muscleforlife.show

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Mentioned on the Show:



Legion Phoenix: www.buylegion.com/phoenix and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points (6% cash back)!

Legion One-on-One Coaching: https://www.muscleforlife.show/vip

How to Increase Testosterone Naturally: https://legionathletics.com/how-to-increase-testosterone-naturally/

Legion Whey+: www.buylegion.com/whey and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!Legion Pulse: www.buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!